AND THE MIDTERM local and national elections were done and dusted. As usual, nobody lost. They were all cheated. Of course, that came as no surprise. This is the Philippines after all. Nobody accepts defeat no matter how obvious.
The natives and the hoi polloi go back to their boring and meaningless existence while the Frappuccino–infused trendy social climbers ponder upon what to do next as their utterly useless and stupid tantrums fell flat on their “Belofied” faces.
“Democracy is dead” and “assault on press freedom” now rhymes with “Otso Direcho sa inidoro.”
Funny thing the “woke” woke up the morning after and Rodrigo Duterte is still president with a fully cooperative Congress, both lower and upper houses.
And let me titillate your boring and meaningless existence…
In between Dark Side of the Moon and Bitches Brew plus a couple of double espresso shots something came to mind – that exquisite part of a woman’s anatomy that has always fascinated and enchanted men. In fact we men owe our very existence to it.
Literally it is our entrance and gateway to this world to being human. Without further ado, Moi’s personal tribute to all women and their vaginas.
I’m pretty sure I got your attention but chill, this is not going to be racy. Nothing of that sort. Yes, we will talk about that elusive and exquisite piece of a woman’s anatomy. Is your blood pressure going up? Maybe your heart just skipped a bit. Hehehe, down boy and let’s get on with the show.
From that free online encyclopedia a.k.a. the internet:
The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler which ran at the Off-Broadway Westside Theatre after a limited run at HERE Arts Centre in 1996.
The Vagina Monologues is made up of a varying number of monologues read by a varying number of women (initially, Eve Ensler performed every monologue herself, with subsequent performances featuring three actresses, and more recent versions featuring a different actress for every role). Each of the monologues deals with an aspect of the feminine experience, touching on matters such as sex, love, rape, menstruation, female genital mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasm, the various common names for the vagina, or simply as a physical aspect of the body. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the vagina as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality.”
If all that sounds too technical or boring to you, let me put it in layman’s terms; it is a stage play where women actors do a monologue or talk about the different experiences or aspects that their vagina went through (pun intended).
Have I aroused your interest already? So let’s get deeper into the subject (again pun intended). In an interview with Women.com, Ensler said that her fascination with vaginas began because of “growing up in a violent society.”
“Women’s empowerment is deeply connected to their sexuality,” she also stated. “I’m obsessed with women being violated and raped, and with incest. All of these things are deeply connected to our vaginas.”
In this male-dominated world where women are treated as sex objects and second-class citizens, the play became a strong voice and a rallying point for the rebirth of feminism.
More from the internet:
“The Vagina Monologues is the cornerstone of the V-Day movement whose participants stage benefit performances of the show and/or host other related events in their communities. Such events take place worldwide each year between Feb. 1 and April 30. The performances generally benefit rape crisis centers and shelters for women, as well as similar resource centers for women. During the rest of the year the play is performed in thousands of communities and colleges worldwide.” Incidentally, V-Day means “Vagina Day”.
As an advocate for women’s rights and an honorary woman I am proud to say that The Vagina Monologues has already reached our shores.
Eight years ago, February 2001 to be exact, the New Voice Company (NVC) first staged its V-Day benefit production of The Vagina Monologues at the Music Museum. The play was directed by actress and NVC founder Monique Wilson.
The play encountered strong opposition from the government which prohibited the use of the word “vagina” on stage. Despite this controversies and opposition the play still took on stage and its production continued in several venues and Catholic schools. It had a highly acclaimed cast of Filipina actresses like Gina Alajar, Pinky Mador, Angelu de Leon, Angel Aquino, Belinda Panelo, and Shiela Francisco.
A year after in March 6, 2002 the Filipino version of The Vagina Monologues was finally staged at Dalisay Aldaba Recital Hall in UP Diliman under the title Usapang Puki. The play opens with the famous defiant line, “Ang tinggil ay dalisay ang layon.”
So there you go our little talk about that elusive and exquisite and important part of a woman’s body and I am proud to say that not only have I passed through it but it is an important and essential part of my life. (brotherlouie16@gmail.com/PN)
